Review Article

Towards a Low-Cost Mobile Subcutaneous Vein Detection Solution Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Table 1

Overview of clinical studies evaluating NIR spectroscopy employment for medical applications.

First author, yearStudy designSubject ageNumber of study patientsProcedureProcedure performed byProcedure settingDevice usedBenefit to technology

Hess [70] (2010)Historical control3 days–17 years91Peripheral IV catheter insertionNursesHospitalVeinViewerBenefit

Strehle [1] (2010)Nonrandomized prospective0–16 years50Peripheral IV catheter insertion or blood drawConsultants, registrars, senior house officers, and nursesOutpatient VeinViewerN/A

Cuper et al. [71] (2011) Historical control0–6 years125Blood drawPhlebotomistsPhlebotomy stationVascuLuminatorBenefit

Chapman et al. [72] (2011)Prospective randomized controlled0–17 years323Peripheral IV catheter insertionPediatric ER nursesPediatric ER, elective IVsVeinViewerBenefit

Perry et al. [73] (2011)Prospective randomized controlled0–20 years123Peripheral IV catheter insertionPediatric ER nursesPediatric ER, elective IVsVeinViewerNo benefit

Cuper et al. [74] (2012)Nonrandomized prospective<3 years77Arterial line insertionExperienced pediatric anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetistsOperating room, before cardiothoracic surgeryVascuLuminatorNo benefit

Kaddoum et al. [68] (2012)Prospective randomized controlled0.18–17.1 years146Peripheral IV catheter insertionExperienced pediatric anesthesiologistsOperating room, elective proceduresAccuVein AV 300No benefit

Kim et al. [75] (2012)Prospective randomized controlled1 month–16 years111Peripheral IV catheter insertionNursesHospitalVeinViewerBenefit

Peterson et al. [76] (2012)Nonrandomized prospective0–19 years155Peripheral IV catheter insertionNursesHospitalVeinViewerNo benefit

Phipps et al. [66] (2012)Prospective randomized controlledPreterm and term neonates (23–40 weeks)115Peripheral IV catheter insertionExpert level neonatal nurse practitioners and registered nurse peripheral IV catheter teamHospitalVeinViewerBenefit

Cuper et al. [77] (2013)Cluster randomized0–18 years494Peripheral IV catheter insertionExperienced pediatric anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and traineesOperating room, elective proceduresVascuLuminatorNo benefit

de Graaff et al. [3] (2013)Cluster randomized0–18 years1383Peripheral IV catheter insertionExperienced pediatric anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and traineesOperating room, elective proceduresVeinViewer, AccuVein AV 300, VascuLuminatorNo benefit

Sun et al. [78] (2013)Prospective randomized controlled3 months–17 years60Peripheral IV catheter insertionNursesPediatric ICUVeinViewerBenefit

van der Woude et al. [79] (2013)Cluster randomized0–15 years88Peripheral IV catheter insertionAnesthesiologistsOperating room, elective proceduresVascuLuminatorNo benefit

Hess [70] (2010) evaluated patients for 6 months using standard techniques and compared the results to patients treated subsequently with the VeinViewer. Cuper et al. [71] (2011) evaluated patients for 10 weeks using standard techniques and compared the results to patients treated subsequently with the VascuLuminator. Benefits to technology were any considered benefits measured in the study populations (described in more detail in Table 2). N/A signifies no analysis performed (feasibility or less rigorous study demonstrating the general usability of the device).